First Town Centre Opens in Linstead

Scores of residents in Northern St. Catherine, can now access services offered by the St. Catherine Parish Council, at the Linstead Town Centre, which was officially opened on November 6.

Addressing the ceremony, Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Noel Arscott, said the facility is a further outreach step by the local authority to the communities, and a practical demonstration of local government facilitating service delivery, and encouraging participation in local governance.

The Minister noted that the centre will serve as a pilot for others across the island, noting that management of the urban areas can have a positive bearing on investment, and citizens complying with obligations in the running of their communities.

“Improved management of our urban centres makes good sense, as improved civic order results in increased local investment, improved compliance and increased potential for employment of citizens in these communities,” the Minister said, while lauding the efforts of stakeholders for the setting up of the first Town Centre on the island, which is located at 1 Rodney Hall Road, in Linstead.

“Our priority is to ensure that people all over Jamaica have the opportunity to participate in local development, through hands-on practical governance and compliance structures in communities,” he added.

The public will, over time, be able to access full parish council services at the centre, where the Internet will facilitate much of the offerings to the residents. Minister Arscott said the establishment of the facility is part of continuous strengthening of local government, and improvement in community development.

“The centre will evolve to serve you effectively, and I ask that you work with your local officials to protect what has been done so far, and contribute positively to the developments that are to come,” the Minister urged.